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Excavation work means digging or moving soil, rock, or other materials with tools or machinery. It is often done when constructing buildings, building retaining walls, or installing underground utilities such as pipes and cables. Before starting any excavation, it is essential to identify and mark the location of underground services like gas, water, and electricity lines to avoid damage and ensure safety.

Common types of excavation

Here are a few types of excavation you’ll often come across in residential construction:

Cut & Fill
Also known as stripping excavation, this method is used to clear and level large areas. It involves removing loose or unstable material like rock, sand, or topsoil so you have a safe and even surface to work on.

Pile Holes
These are usually dug with a backhoe, drill, or hydro excavator. Always cover and barricade pile holes as soon as possible, and make sure only those involved in the work are nearby. Keep an eye on any water buildup and pump it out if needed.

Potholing
Potholing is when you dig small holes to locate underground services before starting bigger works. Just make sure those holes are covered when not in use —it’s an easy way to stop someone from tripping or getting hurt.

Trenching
Trenching is used to install or replace underground utilities, build retaining walls, or check what’s under the surface. Trenches are long, narrow, and deeper than they are wide — which means they can be risky. The safest method depends on the depth, soil type, and what’s around it, so always take care and plan it out properly.

Large-scale excavations often need heavy machinery, so make sure you’ve got good traffic management controls in place too.

Managing the risk

Excavation work is considered as high risk, no matter how shallow or deep the dig is. If there’s any chance of collapse, you need to complete a Risk Assessment and put controls in place. You can find the HazardCo Task Analysis for excavation work in your Hub to help you get started.

Covering or bridging

When you’re covering holes or bridging shallow trenches, make sure whatever you’re using is strong enough to handle the weight, things like heavy-duty plywood or steel plates designed for that job.

• Fully cover holes and make sure the covers can’t move.
• Keep walkways clear of slip or trip hazards.
• Watch for water hazards after rain, they can cause sidewall collapse and even drowning risks, especially for children.
  

Barriers and fencing

Keeping your site secure is a must. Think about how long the excavation will be open, if it’s going to be left overnight, make sure it’s made safe by using plating, fencing, or backfilling the area. 

Simple barriers like cones, plastic mesh, or lightweight hurdles are not enough to keep people safe from excavation hazards. Use proper safety fencing instead, , especially for long-term or unattended worksites.

Know your competency level

Depending on the depth of the excavation, different experience levels are required:

• Up to 1.5m: You should have recent experience supervising or doing excavation work.
• 1.5m – 3m: You’ll need recent experience at these depths and a relevant trade or technical qualification (like a civil engineer or drainlayer).
• 3 – 6m: You’ll need a qualification plus an experienced temporary works designer to confirm the work can be done safely.
  

Make sure you understand what’s required before starting any excavation work.

Need a hand?

You’ll find a list of risk controls for excavation work in the HazardCo App under the Site Review resource, it’s a great way to make sure you’re ticking all the right boxes.

And if you ever need a hand getting started or want more info, get in touch with the friendly HazardCo team, we’re always here to help keep you and your crew safe.